favorite

USAGE SUMMARY

"favorite" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a noun, verb, and adjective. Example (using the noun form): My favorite color is blue.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The bay colt, owned by Zayat Stables and trained by Bob Baffert, was installed as the 3-5 morning-line fatorite at Wednesday's draw, held for the first time at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan instead of Belmont Park's Garden Terrace room.

The Guardian - Sport

The conservative Tea Party favorite announced her decision on her website Wednesday morning.

The Guardian

To mark the anniversary, we asked three former speech writers to tell us their favorite political orations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cruz, a Tea Party favorite who has built a grassroots following for taking a hard-right line against establishment Republicans, has also been a vocal supporter of so-called "religious freedom" laws that have been accused of opening the door to discrimination against LGBT people.

The Guardian

As the school year comes to a close and Tehran's scorching heat becomes a daily affair, Iran's morality police have snuggled back into their favorite parking spots on the western edge of Vanak Square.

The Guardian

While a recent national poll had Sanders in second place behind former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, he still lagged behind the favorite by a margin of 63% to 13%.

The Guardian

Henry V is one of my favorite movies and my favorite scene is Henry carrying the Boy across the field at Agincourt.

The Guardian

Romney maintains his status as the favorite for the Republican nomination, but potential trouble lurks down the road.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cruz, a Tea Party favorite, is expecting to formally join a crowded field of presidential hopefuls in the coming weeks.

The Guardian

It was a new linguistic dance – "going to run" was a new turn of phrase – from the US progressive base's favorite politician, who has been fending off calls to run for the White House almost since she was elected to the Senate two and a half years ago.

The Guardian

His music is infectious, happy-go-lucky, energetic, Dominican, bouncy – a lot of my favorite things.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing preferences, ensure "favorite" aligns with the intended tone. In formal contexts, "preferred" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "favorite" too often in formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "preferred" or "primary" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "favorite" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a preference or special liking. It can also function as a noun, referring to someone or something that is particularly liked or favored. Ludwig confirms its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "favorite" is a versatile term that functions primarily as an adjective and noun, expressing preference or special liking. With a "Correct" grammatical status and "Very common" frequency, as validated by Ludwig, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the context and audience, opting for alternatives like "preferred" in more formal settings to maintain a professional tone. This analysis, supported by numerous examples from Ludwig, provides a comprehensive guide to using "favorite" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preferred

Focuses on a choice made over others, emphasizing selection.

most liked

Highlights the emotional aspect of enjoying something the most.

top choice

Emphasizes that something is the best option.

dearest

Indicates a sense of deep affection and personal value.

best-loved

Suggests widespread affection for something.

pet

Implies a fondness that might be considered a special preference.

favored

Indicates that something is treated with special kindness or support.

choice pick

Highlights something that has been carefully selected and appreciated.

most esteemed

Elevates the choice to a level of high regard and respect.

leading

Suggests preeminence or superiority over other options.

FAQs

How to use "favorite" in a sentence?

You can use "favorite" as an adjective (e.g., "That is my favorite song") or as a noun (e.g., "He is the favorite to win").

What can I say instead of "favorite"?

You can use alternatives like "preferred", "most liked", or "top choice" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "favorite" or "most liked"?

Both "favorite" and "most liked" are correct, but "favorite" is more commonly used and widely understood. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "favorite" and "preferred"?

"Favorite" implies a stronger emotional connection and personal enjoyment, while "preferred" suggests a more rational or practical selection.